Paper Summary:

The paper discusses incidents of patients engaging in deadly behaviors as a result of refusing to take their medications, but reveals that in current U.S. medical practice, it is unethical and illegal for mentally ill patients to be coerced or forced to undergo treatment. The paper explains that it is the duty of the nurse or health care professional to recognize telltale signs of an impending danger for the sake of his patient and his community's safety. The paper therefore concludes that health care professionals must understand the nature of the patient's illness, and use this knowledge to justify when to give intervention without violating the patient's rights.

From the Paper:

"Mental illness is a legitimate disease that is common worldwide. In the United States, over a quarter of the American adult population - one of four adults-- is suffering with a diagnosable disorder every year (National Institute of Mental Health [NIMH], 2008). Some of the common psychiatric disorders are depression, anxiety disorders, and schizophrenia. This implies that approximately 57.7 million Americans are mentally ill. Moreover, it is also known to be a leading cause of disability among 15 to 44 year old individuals in the United States and Canada. These disorders can cause mild to severe disturbances in though and behavior, resulting in the person's inability to perform his daily activities (National Mental Health Illness, 2008)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Ambrosini, D. L., and Crocker, A. G. (2007). "Psychiatric advance directives and the right to refuse treatment in Canada." The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 52(6): 397-402.
• Editorial. (15 June 2008). "Curbing the madness." Daily News. [Online.] Retrieved 20 July 2008 from the Web site: http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2008/06/15/2008-06-15_curbing_the_madness.html?page=0
• Edwards, K. A. (11 April 2008). Informed consent: ethical topic in medicine. [Online.] Retrieved 20 July 2008 from the Web site: http://depts.washington.edu/bioethx/topics/consent.html
• Kaltiala-Heino, R., Vlimaki, M., Korkeila, J., Tuohimaki, C., and Lehtinen, V. (2003). "Involuntary medication in psychiatric inpatient treatment." European Psychiatry, 18: 290-295.
• Levinson, A. and Swanson, J. (2 May 2007). "US Mental Health System is Sick: Editorial." Seattle Post-Intelligencer. [Online.] Retrieved 20 July 2008 from the Web site: http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-110369035.html

Visitors who viewed this Term Paper also liked these:

• Persuasive Essay # 124137 : "Right to Refuse Treatment"
• Argumentative Essay # 69029 : "The Do-Not-Resuscitate Policy"
• Term Paper # 108454 : "Irrational Patient Rights"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: